allot
verb (transitive)
UK/əˈlɒt/US/əˈlɑːt/
to distribute or assign a portion or share of something
Example Sentences
The manager decided to allot specific tasks to each team member to ensure efficient project completion.
During the meeting, the committee agreed to allot additional funds to the education sector to improve school facilities.
She was responsible for allotting the available time slots to the various workshops, ensuring that each session had adequate coverage without overlaps.
The government plans to allot resources for the development of renewable energy projects, aiming to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
In order to optimize productivity, the company allotted more resources to its research and development department, fostering innovation and technological advancements.
The charity organization meticulously allotted the donations to different programs, prioritizing those that provided the most immediate and impactful assistance to those in need.
To address the surge in demand, the factory allotted additional shifts and increased production capacity, ensuring timely delivery of products to customers while maintaining quality standards.
The university allotted scholarships based on academic performance and financial need, enabling deserving students to pursue higher education without financial burdens, thereby promoting equal opportunities for all applicants.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To assign or allocate portions of something to different uses or people.Use “allot” when you’re portioning out resources, duties, or time in a structured way. It emphasizes the act of distributing specific shares: “I’ll allot 30 minutes for questions,” indicates designating a precise block of time. In daily life, “allot” could describe splitting expenses or chores among family members—“We’ve allotted each person an area to clean.” In professional or project scenarios, you might say, “We’ve allotted each department a budget,” to stress each unit’s allocated funds. Like “allocate,” “allot” signals an intentional, planned division, often implying fairness or organization. By choosing “allot,” you highlight that distinct parts are designated for particular recipients or purposes. While it can sound slightly formal, it fits well in both business and everyday contexts, reminding everyone that this distribution is deliberate and well-defined.
Alternatives
Synonyms for “allot” include “allocate,” “assign,” “dispense,” and “apportion.” “Allocate” is common in business contexts or formal planning, spotlighting strategic or logistical distribution. “Assign” is broader, often used for giving out tasks or roles—“I assigned her to handle social media.” “Dispense” suggests handing something out, often physically or sequentially, as in “dispense medication” or “dispense advice.” “Apportion” implies methodical division, sometimes by a formula or specific rationale, like splitting costs proportionally. Each alternative can stress the fair or systematic approach to dividing resources or tasks. Meanwhile, “distribute” can serve as a more general term, covering everything from physical goods (like distributing flyers) to intangible resources (like distributing responsibilities). Selecting the right word depends on how formal you want to sound and whether you’re emphasizing strategic planning, fairness, or simply giving out items.
Writing
When writing about “allot,” be sure to clarify what’s being allotted, to whom or where, and for what purpose. For example, in a project plan, you might note, “We’ll allot 20% of our budget to marketing,” explaining the rationale behind the percentage. In a short story, you could illustrate characters coping with limited resources: “They had to carefully allot rations among all the survivors.” If you’re crafting instructions, you might say, “Allot equal portions to each group member,” ensuring everyone understands the expected fairness in distribution. Detailing the method—whether by need, random selection, or set criteria—helps readers grasp why the allotment is done in a certain way. This precision reinforces that there’s thoughtful reasoning behind each decision. Including timeline details (“We must allot two days to testing before launch”) further shows that “allot” is about structured planning, ensuring that the audience sees how the partial assignments or divisions fit into the bigger picture. By pairing “allot” with metrics, reasoned justifications, or illustrative examples, you demonstrate a careful approach to allocation in your writing.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “allot” can sound slightly more formal than casual words like “divvy up” or “hand out,” but it still works when you want to emphasize an organized approach. For instance, you might say, “Let’s allot an hour to grocery shopping before the party,” implying a precise scheduling decision. Or, “I allotted a small portion of my paycheck to savings each week,” highlighting deliberate budgeting. Friends could use it while planning a road trip—“We need to allot space in the trunk for everyone’s luggage.” Using “allot” in casual chats signals you’re treating the division or scheduling seriously without overcomplicating the language. If you want something more relaxed, you might opt for “split up,” “divide,” or “set aside.” However, “allot” remains a concise way to confirm everyone’s portion is prearranged or purposeful—especially useful when you need clarity and structure even in informal scenarios.
Etymology
The word “allot” hails from the Old French “aloter,” rooted in “lot” (meaning “portion” or “share”). Originally tied to the concept of distributing by “lot” or chance, it later evolved to mean systematically assigning shares or tasks. Over time, the sense of randomness often associated with ‘lots’ lessened, and “allot” came to emphasize controlled or planned distribution. Though still related to the idea of dividing something into portions, modern usage underscores intentional allocation rather than leaving the outcome to fate. This historical link to “lot” reveals how older traditions (like drawing lots) influenced our language for distributing resources or tasks, which remains relevant in both formal and everyday contexts.
